Stevie Mallan has paid tribute to former teammate, goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan, who has been confirmed as one of the casualties in the Kahramanmaras earthquake
A rescue operation is currently ongoing across southern Turkey and northern Syria following a huge earthquake that erupted in the early hours of the morning and has so far has killed more than 7,200 people. The first 7.8 magnitude quake struck near Gaziantep in the early hours of Monday and a second tremor hit at around 13.30 local time (10.30 GMT).
Turkish media reported that Turkaslan's home was hit and his wife was rescued from the rubble but the footballer himself was posted missing. And now his club Yeni Malatyaspor have confirmed he is one of the casualties and has been pronounced dead aged 28. Former Hibs and St Mirren midfielder Mallan played with Turkaslan in his brief loan spell at Yeni and he wrote on Instagram: "One of the most genuine people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Rest in peace brother."
A Yeni statement reads: "Sorry for your loss. Our goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyüp Türkaslan, lost his life after being under the collapse of the earthquake. Rest in peace. We will not forget you, beautiful person."
